Sabrina Carpenter Meets ABBA: A Man's Best Friend Review & Ranking

Alternate cover of Man's Best Friend, photo credit: Stereogum

I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. Man's Best Friend absolutely delivers on everything Sabrina promised it would; it's witty, poppy, and whimsical with a side of man-hating. Anyone who ever doubted my icon, Jack Antonoff, I will be hunting you down. Every time I think I've seen the best of his production abilities, he comes out with another album or song that reminds me he is the king of music production. The choice to go for a '70s and '80s kind of vibe was perfection. ABBA's influence is clearly the strongest in "Goodbye," however, I can hear bits and pieces that are reminiscent of their hits throughout the album. There are also some notes of Shania and Madonna present, who to me are like Sabrina's pop culture predecessors. As far as how it holds up to the rest of her works, it easily rivals Short n' Sweet, with it feeling like the older, more promiscuous sister of the former. The two albums actually remind me of Taylor Swift's folklore and evermore, with evermore being the older sister of the two as well. Speaking of which, the vocals of Sabrina on this album have me even more excited for her feature on The Life of a Showgirl. I love it when Mother features her children in her songs.

Man's Best Friend is the perfect album for a night on the town, or just dancing around in your pyjamas as you write letters to your ex and burn them in the fireplace. It might not have the same emotional depth as emails i can't send, but I also think that it was obvious from the get-go it wasn't meant to be. And, as the last big album release of the summer before fall rolls around, I think it's safe to say Sabrina has saved hot girl summer. For the second year in a row now!

Anywho, enough of my incessant yapping. I think I've gotten my point across that I love Sabrina, Jack, and everyone else who worked on this album (Amy Allen, my love). Let's get onto the rankings!

12. Never Getting Laid

I'd like to clarify that there isn't a miss on this album, so it was extremely difficult to rank. To me, "Never Getting Laid" is one of the funniest songs she's written to date, with that classic, witty humour of hers getting its chance to shine. "I just hope you get agoraphobia one day" is definitely getting added to my list of insults because, at the end of the day, I am just a girl. But it didn't stand out to me compared to the other songs on the album. The production is the weakest in this song, sort of sounding like elevator music. Elevator music in a very high-end, expensive restaurant, but elevator music nonetheless. I still love it, but in terms of the rest of the album, it's the least memorable one.

11. Tears

I'm not sure I fully agree with this being the second music video of the album. The music video is so fun, but personally, I think it would've suited "House Tour" or "Go Go Juice" better. As for the song itself, I think the production is what sells it. It vaguely reminds me of "Read Your Mind" from eics, but only for the background beat. The lyrics and main body of the song are vastly different. I think the reason it ranks so low for me is that I think the message could've been conveyed in a less racy, slightly more appropriate way. I do like the comment on how she's attracted to the guy because he's treating her right, which maybe will send the right message to her male fans (a girl can hope). It's the most explicit of her songs in terms of content, and I do think it might be just a little too sex-related for my liking. Once again, it will probably end up on all of my playlists, and I'm sure it's many people's favourite on the album. Just not my cup of tea.

10. Go Go Juice

It was a tough choice between putting this song in 9th or 10th. I LOVE the country influence in this song, and I am impatiently waiting for someone to put out a new line dance for me to learn. I have a funny feeling "Go Go Juice" will be an on-repeat song at Stampede next year. It feels fun and fresh, similar to "Manchild," but not identical. Props to Jack, despite all of the different influences pulled into this album, it is extremely cohesive. Her little talking segments of the song are so cute, and her vocals are fantastic. The vibrato is on point. I think the main reason it isn't 9th is that every other song on the album is near perfect. Maybe also partially because the song isn't as relatable to me as the rest. But it's funny, bright, and exactly how I needed to end this summer.

9. We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night

Similar to "Tears," I can hear some similarities to eics. The sound is very reminiscent, and her vocals remind me of her more emotional songs on the album, with its airy, falsetto quality. Lyric-wise, it is a more forgettable song, and for me, "Go Go Juice is better written. But her voice and the production of the song are just so fantastic I find myself more drawn to "We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night." I also love how validating the song is, with Sabrina sharing how she, on occasion, gives one too many chances to men who suck. Me too, girl. Me too.

8. Manchild

   
   

I often have a bone to pick with the songs artists choose as their lead singles (cough, Taylor Swift, cough). But Manchild was absolutely the right choice. It's fun, country-pop, and was much-needed for my playlists this summer. Sabrina somehow always sonically nails the transition from summer to fall, and Manchild is most definitely the summeriest song of the album. I also think it set the proper expectations for what the rest of the album was going to be like, encompassing overall the big idea that Sabrina was trying to get across. And the line dance is just so cute! I am glad that the rest of the album strays from how similar Manchild is to Short n' Sweet, but I am a fan of how this song sort of ties the two together as sisters. Initially, I thought it would place higher in my rankings, but from a combination of it being overplayed on the radio and how good the whole album is, 8th is about the best it could be.

7. Don't Worry I'll Make You Worry

Oh, how Sabrina Carpenter makes me feel seen. Being the most emotional song on the album, it's the most similar song we've gotten in the past two years to her eics era. This song is me and I am this song. Through and through. Her singing the background "ah-ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah" has me in a chokehold. It's written beautifully and the production follows suit, feeling like the perfect song to cry to on a random September day when nothing bad has happened. Just one of those things. It is the most vulnerable song on this album, being a nice break from the upbeat, man-hating persona that the vast majority of the album has. It gives me hope that another album similar to eics will happen sometime in the near future, and I think it was a good reminder to her critics that she is a multi-faceted singer who doesn't need to be boxed into a stereotype.

6. Goodbye

Goodbye 2025, hello 1970? This song is such a fever dream, being just a modern version of "Voulez-Vous," and I'm here for it. Basically, all it is is confirmation that Sabrina's going to be in the next Mamma Mia, so yay for easter eggs (let me have this one)! Jokes aside, I love all of the music coming from the '70s, so I'm not complaining. The score is also very much Bleachers-esque, with Jack's signature style truly coming out. I find the lyrics hilarious, and the concept of the whole song is so much fun. It's not the most unique song from the album by any means, and I do think that at the end of the day, I would rather listen to ABBA than this song; which is probably why it isn't higher on this list. Still, it's bubbly, and I just know she had a blast making it for the album.

5. House Tour

Do I think this would've been the perfect song for her music video? Yes. Will I be going into it? No. Sometimes it's best to just let a good thing die. This song is SO eighties. I can't tell you why, but I feel like I'm about to watch Patrick Swayze swing Jennifer Grey while white curtains dance around them. Again, I can't tell you why. It just feels right. I think it has the same sexual humour as "Tears," just done in a more tongue-in-cheek, tasteful manner, which I prefer. It's giving Malibu Barbie, glitter gel pen, and wearing neon colours just because you can. Jack, pat yourself on the back. Production-wise wise it might be my favourite song on the album, with how shimmery and silly it feels. It also slightly gives Robin Sparkles, for any How I Met Your Mother fans.

4. My Man on Willpower

First listen through, this was the lowest on my list. But after spending the last two days playing the album non-stop, it has really grown on me. The beat is catchy, her vocals are amazing, and the lyrics are a fun way to express every girl's frustration with boyfriends and men in general. I love the gentle parenting approach to the song and how it sort of mocks her "man," while also poking fun at herself. It is, at the core of itself, the whole message and theme of Man's Best Friend; playfully hating men while hating yourself for loving them too. It was a close battle for a podium finish, but the top three songs of this album are in a complete league of their own. I'm not sure what she put into those songs, but I'm pretty sure they're better than drugs.

3. Nobody's Son

Ugh, I love beach synth. It's such a niche genre of music, but it hits the spot every. damn. time. And tied together with the lyrics, it's a psychedelic masterpiece. I just appreciate that Sabrina Carpenter isn't putting up with anyone's BS. "Nobody's Son" is like her cheeky version of The Tortured Poets Department, calling out the bad behaviour of some of the men she's dated. Just imagine that whole album as a Barbie beach experience. That's what this is. I fear I understand this song a little too much for comfort, but the good news is it's Sabrina Carpenter, so I can hide the relatability behind cute dance moves and laughter. Haha. Ha. I also need the bridge injected into my veins because nobody writes a more danceable bridge than Ms. Sabrina herself. Truth be told, the entire song just gives Matty Healy vibes. To be fair, the whole album kind of screams him. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, just look up him and Taylor Swift. Or him and his mom. Or just him.

2. Sugar Talking

This has got to be on a movie soundtrack at some point. I love the slower, more sensual sound of the song, and how it feels slightly clubby. Oh, and I will be learning the guitar riffs in the near future. It isn't a particularly flashy song by any means, but everything about it just works. Sometimes less is more, and in this case, it really lets her voice carry the song. Other than that, I really can't explain why this song does it for me. It just does. I want to make dinner while this song plays on my Alexa (not sponsored, who do you think we are?), and you better believe I'll be making pasta with vodka tomato sauce.

1. When Did You Get Hot?

Me whenever I walk back into school after the summer. This song is number one for so many reasons, mostly because it makes me feel understood as a girl who loves having a hallway crush or two. It fits the sexy vibe of the album without being overkill, and I do have a good chuckle whenever it comes on. I mean, "prospect convention?" Sabrina Carpenter, saying what everyone else was thinking since 2014. I know lots of people were disappointed that this album is similar to Short n' Sweet, rather than eics, but I'm glad this is the album she put out this year. I love a good crying and emotional album too, but sometimes you're just in the mood to listen to something silly that reminds you not to take life too seriously. This song embodies the idea that life is too short not to have fun, and not to gawk at that one guy who definitely had a glow-up over the summer. All this really did was further the delusions I feed myself every day, but I think that that's what Sabrina intended with this album all along.

Closing Thoughts

As I've said before and I'll say again, Sabrina Carpenter has saved summer. She and Jack might be one of the most lethal duos in the industry right now. Something about his love for synth and flair ties in so well with her fun-loving personality and music. I can't wait to hear how she sounds with the production of Max Martin and Shellback supporting her, seeing as how they made the perfect pop album of Taylor Swift's career eleven years ago. I said 2023 was the year of music, then it was 2024, and now it's 2025. So I've come to the conclusion that as long as Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo, Harry Styles, Role Model, or Sabrina Carpenter has released music, it's been a good year. And this album has just made it really good.